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Abstract:

A storage and measurement container for retaining a quantity of
particulate food product and dispensing a measured serving thereof. The
container comprises a rectangular storage volume with a removable lid,
wherein food stuffs such as flour, spices and other products may be
preserved for extended periods of time and likewise dispensed therefrom.
The lid is attachable to the container, and comprises an interior volume
and a closure blade. Within the lid is a means to adjust its interior
volume by method of inserting or retracting a graduated piston, which
changes a desired serving. The blade is first used to retract the piston
prior to the assembly being rotated and food contents transferred from
the container to the lid interior volume. The blade is then used to
separate the container volume from the lid volume after the container has
been rotated and prior to dispensing the lid contents. A lid door
provides a means to dispense the product after the blade has been
inserted. The device provides a convenient and simple food product
container that allows dispensing of a measured quantity of product from a
larger container without the use of a third party measuring device.

Claims:

1) A measurement storage container for dispensing measured servings of
flowable contents, comprising: a storage container in connection with a
lid with an interior volume, wherein said flowable contents are
communicated from said container to said lid interior volume upon a
tilting action from an initial position to a tilted position, whereby
contents are gravity fed from said container to said lid; said lid
comprising a slideable piston, a blade separation device and a dispensing
door; said slideable piston creating a measured volume within said lid
determined by its slideable position; said blade separation device
slideable between said container and said lid measured volume to
eliminate communication of contents; said dispensing door hingedly
attached to said lid that allows dispensing of contents from said lid.

2) A device as in claim 1, wherein said piston and said blade separation
device are slideable along a rail device, allowing fore-aft motion and
secure containment of contents within said lid.

3) A device as in claim 1, wherein said piston and said blade separation
device are connected via a one-way latch that provides unitary motion as
said lid interior volume is expanded.

4) A device as in claim 1, wherein said blade separation device extends
beyond said piston and forms a lip for improved ergonomics.

5) A device as in claim 1, wherein said container and said lid comprise a
rectangular cross section.

6) A device as in claim 1, wherein said container is clear acrylic and
said lid is stainless steel.

7) A device as in claim 1, wherein said door is latched opposite said
hinged attachment.

8) A device as in claim 1, wherein said piston upper surface displays a
graduated measurement scale that corresponds to said lid interior volume.

9) A device as in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said measurement
storage containers are stackable, secured by corresponding grooves along
said lid upper surface and said container lower surface.

10) A method of measuring a desired serving of flowable contents from a
container, comprising the steps of: attaching a measuring lid to a
container filled with flowable contents; tilting said container and
measuring lid to communicate said contents of said container to said
measuring lid interior volume, defined by a piston device; positioning a
blade separation device between said container volume and said measuring
lid to prevent further communication of contents; opening a door on said
measuring lid to dispense said lid interior contents.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/334,609 filed on May 14, 2010, entitled "Store and Measure
Container."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to containers for particulate food
stuffs. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combined
storing, measuring and dispensing device.

[0004] The present invention pertains primarily with flowing particulate
food stuffs, which may be assumed to encompass any granular, crystalline,
particulate flake, powder or similarly structured product that can flow
from one vessel to another in solid form. This differs from fluid
communicating devices or containers.

[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] Graduated measuring cups are well known in the art, and provide a
means to measure quantities of a product while preparing or serving food.
These are generally singular or a set of graduated measuring devices with
a visible measurement scale for reference along their interior or
exterior surfaces, allowing a user to accurately measure a serving size
or follow recipe instructions. These devices comprise stackable cups,
spoons, cylinders and other structures whose sole purpose is to measure a
quantity of food product and provide a dispensing means thereof.

[0007] Storage containers for granular food products such as spices, sugar
and similar ingredients are likewise well described in the art. These
devices are typically resealable containers that provide an air tight or
vacuum seal lid for preserving interior contents for periods of time. The
ability to adequately seal the contents slows any aerobic process that
may result in spoilage or loss of freshness. These devices are generally
formed of acrylic or similar plastic material with no means to accurately
dispense a given quantity of product without use of a measuring device.

[0008] The present invention discloses a combination storage container,
measurement and dispensing device that provides all of the benefits of
its individual components combined into a convenient and efficient
structure. The device is comprised of four main parts: a base storage
container, a lid with an interior volume, measuring device and a
separation blade. These components work together to provide a long-term
storage container, a measurement lid attachable to the container, and a
blade device that separates the measured volume from the rest of the
container contents prior to dispensing. The means provided for shifting
contents from one volume to another is a rotation of the assembly,
followed by the blade separating the two volumes.

[0009] Several devices have been disclosed in the art that describe
container measuring devices, including those that are one-piece or
assemblies that facilitate controlled communication of solid or fluid
products from a container. These devices are generally less efficient or
less modular than the present invention, or provide a one-piece device
that does not function particularly well as a storage container.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,948 to Jennings describes an improvement in
container measuring systems wherein discrete quantities of liquid may be
measured and dispensed using a pour-spout and measuring head, attachable
to the spout of a fluid container. While this device is useful for
dispensing fluid products, it lacks the ability to provide a useful
measuring means for granular food stuffs. It also differs in structure
and function from the present invention.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,011 to Jennings describes another measuring
container device wherein a secondary measurement vessel is provided along
the top of a container filled with flowable solid material. Upon flipping
the container over, solid particles are communicated into the secondary
vessel through a small opening. This device provides an inefficient means
of transferring material from a main chamber and into the secondary
measuring vessel. The food particles must actively flow around a bend and
through a small channel in order to enter the measuring vessel, which may
prove difficult with larger particulate material. The flow rate and
inherent viscosity of such products may prohibit ease of movement through
a small channel or around a curve. The present invention alternatively
provides a direct means of communication that can be closed off after the
product has entered the measuring volume of the lid and is ready for
dispensing. No small pathways or undulating geometry is necessary to
communicate particles from one vessel to the other.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,213 to Daniello describes a container lid with
quantity measures for selectively dispensing different predetermined
quantities of material. The lid includes a rotatable head and a body
structure with plurality of measuring volumes therein. The head is
rotated to the desired serving and the assembly is flipped over to fill
the measured volume. A closure plate between the measured volume and the
container volume is used to separate the two prior to dispensing. While
this device employs a tilt mechanism to transfer between volumes and a
closure plate to separate the two, its primary usefulness lies in smaller
containers, such as spices and similar small quantity vessels. The rotary
motion of the head is also different in structure from the present
invention, which utilizes a slideable piston-type device to change the
measured volume within the lid, as opposed to choosing a preselected
volume by rotation.

[0013] In these respects, the aforementioned patents fail to describe the
present invention. The devices in the prior art have drawbacks that
prevent their use as a particulate container of food stuffs while
providing an efficient means to dispense a measured quantity thereof. The
instant invention substantially diverges in design elements from the
prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art
for an improvement to existing container measurement systems and combined
dispensers. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills
these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of measured container dispensers now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a new dispensing container wherein the same
can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when efficiently
measuring and dispensing a quantity of solid food product from a larger
storage container.

[0015] It is therefore a primary objective of the present invention to
provide a means of measuring and dispensing a known quantity of flowable
solid material from a container utilizing no external measurement means.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an efficient
and modular container dispensing system that allows a user to store food
product in a larger container for periods of time, and provide a
container lid that is capable of measuring a desired quantity therefrom
and dispense that quantity using no external measuring means.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide direct
communication of material between a storage container to the measured
volume within the lid structure, along with a blade device to separate
the two prior to dispensing.

[0018] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
measuring lid and container device that is easily cleaned, and one that
provides an adequate seal to prevent spoilage or loss of freshness.

[0019] A final object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved measured container dispenser device that has all of the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 shows the present invention wherein the measuring piston is
being positioned to a create a desired volume within the measurement lid.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows the method of material communication between the
container and the lid interior volume.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the
present invention, wherein a storage container 11 with an interior volume
is filled with granular food contents 12. Above the storage container 11
is a measuring lid, comprising a slideable measuring piston 13 with a
graduated scale of measurements along its upper surface, a containment
blade device 15 with a handle lip 16, an interior volume 17 and a
dispensing door 14. The measuring piston 13 is pulled from the measuring
lid interior until a desired volume measurement is uncovered,
corresponding to an interior volume 17 within the lid structure. When
pulled outward from the lid, the measuring piston 13 and the blade 15
travel in unison, as a one-way latch device pulls the piston 13 out of
the lid as the blade 16 is pulled. When pushed into the lid, the blade 15
moves independently of the piston 13, allowing separation of the lid
interior volume 17 and the container volume 11. The latch provides a
bearing surface for the blade to pull the piston in unison, while freeing
the blade from the piston when the blade is pushed back into the lid. The
piston 13 and blade 15 slide along corresponding slots within the cavity
17 of the lid, and provide a seal to prevent contents 12 from exiting the
lid except through the dispensing door 14 when in use.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the
present invention in its transfer position, wherein the assembly is
flipped over from its original position (FIG. 1), allowing contents 12 to
flow from the container 11 into the lid interior volume 17. The
displacement of the measuring piston 13 determines the internal volume 17
within the lid, and therefore the intended serving size. The serving size
is indicated along the top surface of the piston 13. In this figure, the
separation blade is in an open position, allowing a clear pathway between
the lid 17 and the container 11. The dispensing door is 14 held shut via
a hinge and attachment means along its opposite edge.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the
present invention in its dispensing position. Contents from the container
12 have been transferred to the lid interior volume, creating a measured
quantity of contents 18 for the user. The separation blade 15 has been
moved into its working position, wherein it separates the container and
lid volumes and prevents leakage from the former. At this time, the door
14 is opened by the user to allow the measured contents 18 to escape the
assembly and to be dispensed accordingly.

[0027] In use, the present invention provides an easy to use and efficient
method of measuring a quantity of food stuffs from a container and
dispensing it therefrom. The graduated piston allows contents to be
measured prior to delivery, while the remainder of the contents is
securely housed within the container and prevented from spilling out. The
rotating action and clear pathway between the container and the lid
ensures efficient communication of material, eliminating any transfer
problems associated with denser or highly viscous materials. Food
products contemplated for use with this product include any household
food product that requires measurement or one that is stored in a
sealable container prior to use, including flour, spices, sugar, cereal,
oats or any other similar flowable solid material composition.

[0028] The container may come in any size or in a plurality of sizes that
allows for a set of containers. The measured volumes may likewise
comprise any graduated scale preferred by the user, including teaspoons
or cups and with 1/4 graduation marks. The top surface of the container
lid is mateable to the bottom surface of the container, allowing the user
to securely stack multiple measuring container devices.

[0029] Materials for the device may be chosen from any known materials
used for food storage, including acrylic and other plastics, stainless
steel and aluminum. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
the container is made of clear acrylic, while the lid comprises of
stainless steel construction. It is not intended to limit the present
invention to a specific material type, but rather it has been shown that
this combination yields a device that allows for ease of use, ease of
cleaning and improved manufacturability.

[0030] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily
apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0031] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Patent applications by Linda Enns, Ontario CA

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